Lenses usable for infrared photography?

Noisychip · 07-30-2008, 12:35 AM

Since I would like to try shooting infrared with the K10d, I'm looking for information on the usability of lenses. I've found websites about C* and N* and 3rd party lenses, showing that many zooms especially will have a bright hot spot in the center. The 16-45 seems to work fine on the other hand.

So, which lenses are you using for IR?

suro · 07-30-2008, 01:20 AM

You cant get infrared photo on K10D, because it has a good built filter (defence glass). Or you can buy cheap camera body like Canon 350D or Pentax K110D and remove protection glass in service

creampuff · 07-30-2008, 01:46 AM

The DA 16-45mm does suffer form hot spots. This I can confirm firsthand.
Seriously, the best lens for IR is the... DA 18-55mm. The newer II version is even better than the previous version.

The K10D is capable of shooting IR, except that typical exposures are in the order of about 10 seconds or more, requiring the use of a tripod or some form of support.

Noisychip · 07-30-2008, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

The DA 16-45mm does suffer form hot spots. This I can confirm firsthand.
Seriously, the best lens for IR is the... DA 18-55mm. The newer II version is even better than the previous version.

The K10D is capable of shooting IR, except that typical exposures are in the order of about 10 seconds or more, requiring the use of a tripod or some form of support.

I tried the 18-55 today, the weather was cloudy. No hot spot visible. Exposure was around 600times as long as without the filter (thats 9 stops, roughly). If this is the same in sunny weather, it should be relatively easy to get exposure times around 1 second.

frank · 07-30-2008, 07:59 PM

Most prime lenses are good for IR, but some do suffer, including FA43. For zoom lens, the best is the kit I or II. You don't need great optics for IR photos, especially if you are shooting w/ an IR filter infront of a lens. The expose time is so long, a light wind will make the leaves blurry.

Several IR friendly lenses that I used: M20/4, DA21/3.2, DA 18-55, DA50-200. I know some guys might be interested to use Sigma 10-20 or DA 12-24 for IR, but I have to disappoint you. Both lenses produce hot spots, especially the DA12-24

JoepLX3 · 10-08-2010, 01:06 PM

How about the Tamron 10-24, any good for IR?

**Ex Finn.** · 10-08-2010, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by JoepLX3

How about the Tamron 10-24, any good for IR?

Cannot help with Tamron. If you have it,the SMCA 50 f1.7 works great for IR. At f1.7 the live view is usable on K7. Sunny day of course.

Halloween must be almost here, waking the dead threads

JoepLX3 · 10-08-2010, 05:02 PM

I have the SMC A 50 mm F1.4 and also the 18-55 mm II to try out - That will determine the diameter...

creampuff · 10-08-2010, 05:38 PM

The A 50mm f/1.4 is definitely IR friendly, as is the FA 50mm f/1.4.
The A 50mm f/2.8 Macro is hotspot free but the FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro does show a hotspot from my own tests.

georgweb · 10-08-2010, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by JoepLX3

I have the SMC A 50 mm F1.4 and also the 18-55 mm II to try out - That will determine the diameter...

I'd say get a 55mm or 58mm filter and step rings for your 49ers and 52ers. It is just cheaper like that and you can use the step rings for other filters too.

Creampuff, you already said what you would prefer. However I found a nice post of yours with a listing of suitable and not so suitable lenses,
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66895-ir-infra...tml#post671922

I guess this is still valid ?

One more question out of curiosity: Is a true APO lens automatically hot spot free ? Mirror lenses too ?

creampuff · 10-08-2010, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by georgweb

I'd say get a 55mm or 58mm filter and step rings for your 49ers and 52ers. It is just cheaper like that and you can use the step rings for other filters too.

Creampuff, you already said what you would prefer. However I found a nice post of yours with a listing of suitable and not so suitable lenses,
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66895-ir-infra...tml#post671922

I guess this is still valid ?

Yes they are still valid. I've actually used the said lenses to test using my IR modded camera. Perhaps I ought to go back and update the list with new lenses that I have found to be IR friendly like the DA 15mm Limited and the DA 17-70mm SDM. Thanks for the reminder.

JoepLX3 · 10-09-2010, 01:12 AM

Originally posted by georgweb

I'd say get a 55mm or 58mm filter and step rings for your 49ers and 52ers. It is just cheaper like that and you can use the step rings for other filters too.

Creampuff, you already said what you would prefer. However I found a nice post of yours with a listing of suitable and not so suitable lenses,
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66895-ir-infra...tml#post671922

I guess this is still valid ?

One more question out of curiosity: Is a true APO lens automatically hot spot free ? Mirror lenses too ?

Thanks for the link
- I "hate" step rings, but love saving costs, curious how this balance will go...

I think I will Polarizer, IR and ND only on limited lenses...

**Digitalis** · 10-09-2010, 04:10 AM

avoid ultrawide lenses with infrared, because not only hot spots you will also likely encounter some serious smearing due to the fact that IR wavelengths aren't as easily bent as visible light wavelengths are.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-09-2010, 04:18 AM

I went the cost effective route, 58mm R-72 and step-up rings.

**barondla** · 10-09-2010, 06:05 AM

Have the DS, K10/20Ds and K-7. Best camera for IR is the DS. Weaker filter. The 16-45 isn't very good for IR - big hot spot. A shame since I like the wider field of view. The 18-55 is much better.

Have also had luck with the Lens Baby Composer using the double glass optic. Adds a different take on the IR look.

thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #34 in compact camera forum. Enter #35. Any brand camera. Enter now!

07-30-2008, 12:35 AM	#1
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282	Lenses usable for infrared photography? Since I would like to try shooting infrared with the K10d, I'm looking for information on the usability of lenses. I've found websites about C* and N* and 3rd party lenses, showing that many zooms especially will have a bright hot spot in the center. The 16-45 seems to work fine on the other hand. So, which lenses are you using for IR?

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07-30-2008, 01:20 AM	#2
suro Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ekaterinburg Posts: 344	You cant get infrared photo on K10D, because it has a good built filter (defence glass). Or you can buy cheap camera body like Canon 350D or Pentax K110D and remove protection glass in service

07-30-2008, 01:46 AM	#3
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	The DA 16-45mm does suffer form hot spots. This I can confirm firsthand. Seriously, the best lens for IR is the... DA 18-55mm. The newer II version is even better than the previous version. The K10D is capable of shooting IR, except that typical exposures are in the order of about 10 seconds or more, requiring the use of a tripod or some form of support.

07-30-2008, 04:31 PM	#4
Noisychip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by creampuff The DA 16-45mm does suffer form hot spots. This I can confirm firsthand. Seriously, the best lens for IR is the... DA 18-55mm. The newer II version is even better than the previous version. The K10D is capable of shooting IR, except that typical exposures are in the order of about 10 seconds or more, requiring the use of a tripod or some form of support. I tried the 18-55 today, the weather was cloudy. No hot spot visible. Exposure was around 600times as long as without the filter (thats 9 stops, roughly). If this is the same in sunny weather, it should be relatively easy to get exposure times around 1 second.

07-30-2008, 07:59 PM	#5
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Most prime lenses are good for IR, but some do suffer, including FA43. For zoom lens, the best is the kit I or II. You don't need great optics for IR photos, especially if you are shooting w/ an IR filter infront of a lens. The expose time is so long, a light wind will make the leaves blurry. Several IR friendly lenses that I used: M20/4, DA21/3.2, DA 18-55, DA50-200. I know some guys might be interested to use Sigma 10-20 or DA 12-24 for IR, but I have to disappoint you. Both lenses produce hot spots, especially the DA12-24

10-08-2010, 01:06 PM	#6
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	How about the Tamron 10-24, any good for IR?

10-08-2010, 04:30 PM	#7
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by JoepLX3 How about the Tamron 10-24, any good for IR? Cannot help with Tamron. If you have it,the SMCA 50 f1.7 works great for IR. At f1.7 the live view is usable on K7. Sunny day of course. Halloween must be almost here, waking the dead threads

10-08-2010, 05:02 PM	#8
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	I have the SMC A 50 mm F1.4 and also the 18-55 mm II to try out - That will determine the diameter...

10-08-2010, 05:38 PM	#9
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	The A 50mm f/1.4 is definitely IR friendly, as is the FA 50mm f/1.4. The A 50mm f/2.8 Macro is hotspot free but the FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro does show a hotspot from my own tests.

10-08-2010, 05:48 PM	#10
georgweb Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,386	Originally posted by JoepLX3 I have the SMC A 50 mm F1.4 and also the 18-55 mm II to try out - That will determine the diameter... I'd say get a 55mm or 58mm filter and step rings for your 49ers and 52ers. It is just cheaper like that and you can use the step rings for other filters too. Creampuff, you already said what you would prefer. However I found a nice post of yours with a listing of suitable and not so suitable lenses, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66895-ir-infra...tml#post671922 I guess this is still valid ? One more question out of curiosity: Is a true APO lens automatically hot spot free ? Mirror lenses too ?

10-08-2010, 05:54 PM	#11
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by georgweb I'd say get a 55mm or 58mm filter and step rings for your 49ers and 52ers. It is just cheaper like that and you can use the step rings for other filters too. Creampuff, you already said what you would prefer. However I found a nice post of yours with a listing of suitable and not so suitable lenses, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66895-ir-infra...tml#post671922 I guess this is still valid ? Yes they are still valid. I've actually used the said lenses to test using my IR modded camera. Perhaps I ought to go back and update the list with new lenses that I have found to be IR friendly like the DA 15mm Limited and the DA 17-70mm SDM. Thanks for the reminder.

10-09-2010, 01:12 AM	#12
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	Originally posted by georgweb I'd say get a 55mm or 58mm filter and step rings for your 49ers and 52ers. It is just cheaper like that and you can use the step rings for other filters too. Creampuff, you already said what you would prefer. However I found a nice post of yours with a listing of suitable and not so suitable lenses, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/66895-ir-infra...tml#post671922 I guess this is still valid ? One more question out of curiosity: Is a true APO lens automatically hot spot free ? Mirror lenses too ? Thanks for the link - I "hate" step rings, but love saving costs, curious how this balance will go... I think I will Polarizer, IR and ND only on limited lenses...

10-09-2010, 04:10 AM	#13
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	avoid ultrawide lenses with infrared, because not only hot spots you will also likely encounter some serious smearing due to the fact that IR wavelengths aren't as easily bent as visible light wavelengths are.

10-09-2010, 04:18 AM	#14
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	I went the cost effective route, 58mm R-72 and step-up rings.

10-09-2010, 06:05 AM	#15
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	Have the DS, K10/20Ds and K-7. Best camera for IR is the DS. Weaker filter. The 16-45 isn't very good for IR - big hot spot. A shame since I like the wider field of view. The 18-55 is much better. Have also had luck with the Lens Baby Composer using the double glass optic. Adds a different take on the IR look. thanks barondla Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #34 in compact camera forum. Enter #35. Any brand camera. Enter now!